How to be a Wildflower

I came upon the most magical little book this weekend.  It transports me back to the magical, slow, summer days of my youth spent daydreaming in the grass.  The book is called, How to be a Wildflower: a field guide, written by artist Katie Daisy.  I found it at the most exquisite little boutique in Winkler called the Clay Owl Boutique, but you can also find through major booksellers, or order a signed copy through Katie's website or Etsy shop!

The book is full of Katie's art, natural history, quotes and to do and make lists, such as strawberry pie, what to take on a hike, and places to wander and explore.

I look forward to getting lost in this book and the daydreams I share with the author.  To wander, to gather, to savour, to ponder.  Truly a book to treasure for always.

(Even the video trailer for the book is magical.)
All photos from Katie Daisy's website.
SaveSaveSaveSave

Reading Lately

I've had the pleasure of reading a number of wonderful novels in the last few months as we wait for the next baby to arrive...I'm sure I won't be finding as much time to pick up a book soon.  Click the link for each book to read more about it.......

The Valley of Amazement by Amy Tan

Peony in Love by Lisa See

The Opposite of Fate: Memories of a Writing Life by Amy Tan

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

I would definitely recommend the last novel, The Language of Flowers, to anyone who loves flowers and gardening.  The novel uses the Victorian meanings of flowers throughout to help drive the plot -- educational and interesting!

Reading Lately

 

Well, hello!  Just checking in with a list of some of the books I've read over the last two months.  This winter is proving to be an excellent excuse for catching up on reading and Netflix.  Most of these books I found to be very difficult to put down...making for some late nights.  Follow the links for more information on each title.

Brooklyn by Colm Toibin

In Her Own Voice: Childbirth Stories from Mennonite Women by Katherine Martens and Heidi Harms

  

Longbourn by Jo Baker

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

Ari's Favourite Books

Typically I give a list of my reading at the end of the month, but this July I was too busy with de-cluttering the house during naptime instead of relaxing and reading....so I am still working on the same book that I began at the beginning of the month!  In the absence of my reads, I thought I'd share a few of Ari's favourite books -- the ones that HE always reaches for time and time again.   (By the way, I am beyond delighted that he is reaching for books himself!  I even catch him 'reading' in his room sometimes!) 

1.  National Geographic Kids Look and Learn: Dogs  -- By far his top favourite book.  I think it's the photographs of real dogs vs. illustrations in most of his other books.  We spend a lot of time flipping through this one, over and over again.

2.  Usborne Touchy Feely Books: That's Not My Puppy -- Ari loves touching the special features on each page!  Another book he likes that is similar is Tails by Matthew Van Fleet.

3.  Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed by Eileen Christelow -- A classic story that's so sing-songy.  He giggles every time I retell this one.

4.  The Fire Station by Robert Munsch -- We have a couple of Munsch stories, which are all great, but he always reaches for this one.

5.  Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak -- An early favourite story of Ari's.  He particularly loves the line, "I'll eat you up, I love you so!"  I even bought him a crown like Max's to wear for his upcoming birthday!

6.  I am a Dump Truck from Scholastic Books -- A recent favourite.  He loves that this book is shaped like a truck, and, of course, he loves trucks.

7.  My Count and Seek Book from Pockets of Learning -- a great 'quiet/activity' book.  He loves flipping through this one and playing with the pieces on each page.  He also has a traditional handmade quiet book, which he loves equally as much.

8.  Guess How Much I Love You soft book -- This book has soft, crinkly pages and a built in teether.  He has loved this one since the start!  Something about those crinkly pages just grabs babies.

Mama has her favourite children's stories too, but during reading time Ari is the boss, so we read his choices.  I'm sure that these will be read many more times yet!

Reading in June

Hello summer!  It's funny how my reading always picks up when the days get warmer...reading in my backyard is one of my favourite things to do.  I am so thankful that Ari takes a daily afternoon nap so I can indulge!  Here are five books that I read this month:

The Prairie Bridesmaid by Daria Salamon

French Kids Eat Everything (and yours can too) by Karen Le Billon

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling

The House Girl by Tara Conklin